Spirit-led worship.

The last couple of months I’ve had a real desire to be more in tune with the Holy Spirit as I lead worship. Over the last six months it has really felt like God has been moving in a whole new way in our church community. We’ve been seeing lots of healings and words in our Sunday and midweek services.

We’ve also had lots of times of singing out in the spirit and extended ministry. I am so longing to be part of this move of God, as an individual, but also as one of the worship leaders. If God is doing something new, so the prophetic sound of the worshippers should be rising.

So, I’ve been wondering how I (a mere mortal), am to know what the Holy Spirit wants to do amongst us during the thirty minutes or so that I have been authorised to sing?

Here are some thoughts I’ve been practicing –

Ask, Wait & Listen. Its only recently that I’ve learnt not to rush through a set list, marching through every song with perfect musical transition as well as a tidy and passionate “every hand is lifted” response from the congregation… and don’t forget the anthemic climax to finish the set with a great sense of “yep, I did my job this morning!”

Nope. There’s got to be more. God is Alive, He is amongst us, and He doesn’t live in religious routines or formula’s. He is able to be seen through authenticity, originality and creativity. He also moves when we let go and take risks.

Ask – What is God doing? How can my set list reflect this? How can I allow space during the worship to wait on God (without it being awkward or weird)? What other people on the team can minister through their playing? (eg. we have some string players that are incredible at playing prophetically… drummers… guitarists… bv’s etc)

Wait & Listen – Stopping to pray. Before a service its pretty hectic – sound checks, rehearsals, people late, people in bad moods (not me ofcourse!!!), lyrics, chords, make-up (girls), run sheets, breakfast, hurry up must get off stage… and quick we better pray before we start…

It’s so important that we stop and wait on God for a moment, to re-align our heart, mind and soul with His. To ask Him to fill us again that he would lead and unite us - that we are able to lead others.

Open your eyes. I met with Ele Mumford Recently (Pastor of Vineyard Church UK) and asked her how we can be more “Spirit-Led” as we lead worship, and she said a few things but the one answer that stuck with me was “Keep your Eyes Open”. Wow. What a simple and strange thing to say. Do we see the Holy Spirit dance around the room as we look out from the stage? Does He point out people or hover in a ghostly manner? Hmmm, it have never seen it that way, but as I have practiced keeping my eyes open over the last few weeks, and have taken my time in the songs, not rushing from section to section, but allowing space, I have seen by the way people are responding moments where God is moving amid different people, and I can lead according.

Recently I had formed a bit of a habit of shutting my eyes – with the intention of minimising distraction, however there’s a real danger of missing whats going on out there and getting lost in your own “land of worship”. Having my eyes open has helped me get a sense of what is going on in the room. Sometimes it feels like not much and it might be that an encouragement might help, but other times I can see people responding in physical ways, or really pouring themselves out and expressing their love for God. This has really helped me know how to guide the music forward.

Learn the new songs. Sometimes it can be easier and more comfortable to sing the songs we know. These are the songs we’ve done a thousand times before, the crowd pleasers that almost always conjure some response yet don’t take up too much of our time during the week. Its funny though cause God always seems to be doing something NEW, and often the spirit moves through a new song, a new sound. In the Psalms it often says “Sing to the Lord a new song”… Ps 149 I’m not sure it always means literally (you can sing an ‘old’ song in your heart with a ‘new’ spirit). But sometimes I do think it does mean literally – we need to listen out for new songs that are helping people worship perhaps locally, or maybe globally. Songs can become catalysts for a new move of the Holy Spirit, even ushering in revivals. Its important to keep our ears open to hear the new songs, but also be disciplined enough to learn them.

Come Expectant. Bring Faith. We don’t see the Holy Spirit in the physical but we do believe that He is with us. We believe the promise that when we ask Him to come, He does. And so when we prepare, in the natural things, as well as in our hearts we need to truly believe that God is using us, as worship leaders, in a powerful way. Wouldn’t it be amazing to see God do the miraculous in worship? That people would be healed and set free when we sing? That as the music plays people’s minds are filled with pictures and visions, their hearts overflowing with prophetic songs? Wouldn’t it be incredible if when we gathered to worship we were surprised and overwhelmed, not just emotionally but actually the outworking of God revealed in the fruit of people’s lives as they continue to sing His praises corporately. We need to believe in what we do. Believe that it’s important, that God has called us to it for His purpose and for His church. God is Alive and is able to do anything at anytime – so let’s go for it and see God move through our churches and cities. Amen!